The Times: New rules to curb use of 'super-injunctions' against the media

Share this

New judicial rules are expected to be put in place to curb the use of injunctions banning publication in privacy cases, the Times reports (paywall-protected) today.

England and Wales’ most senior judge, Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, is heading a committee looking into the issue and is expected to recommend new rules by Christmas, the Times reports.

The recommendations will make it a harder for celebrities to obtain super-injunctions, which not only prevent journalists from reporting the story itself but also prevent them from writing about the existence of the injunction, today’s report states.

Another possible change, according to the Times, is that the media would have to be notified when an injunction is sought. New rules could also ban injunctions that could stop the media reporting Parliament.

Three England footballers are currently understood to have injunctions out stopping newspaper revelations about their private lives. According to The Times report, such media injunctions are currently being issued at a rate of around one per month.